Photos of Biggleswade and Green Park

Posted on by Natalie Doig
A row of tomb stones stacked along a brick wall they are surrounded by ivy and smothered in bright green moss.
Moss smothered grave stones

I went in search of Thomas Cooper’s grave. Sadly the church yard at St Andrew’s church was remodelled some decades ago and the headstones were moved to the outer wall of the church yard and stacked around it. These stones have not been kept clear of ivy and moss and so many are completely unreadable.

The records I have found show that Cooper was buried at St Andrew’s as opposed to the cemetery, We spoke with one of the church staff who told us that there is no list of the headstones which remain in the church yard, which seems an awful shame. I am sure there must be one somewhere, but certainly not stored at the church.

A close up of a grave stone, it has branches of ivy crisscrossed across it some of the ivy is growing into the stone. There are a few ivy leaves too. The date 7 1876 can be seen etched into the stone along with 1888
Ivy riddled grave stone

This is a sad grave stone smothered in ivy and with some of the ivy actually growing into the stone it’s self. It appears to be the grave of a 12 year old as there is a date of 1876 and then underneath Died September 1888. It does seem very sad indeed that the headstones have been allowed to decay and be overrun by nature without keeping a record of who the stones belonged to.

Personally I think allowing nature to reclaim these headstones is fitting and a haven for wildlife but not when there is no record of who was actually buried there, or who these headstones mark.

St Andrews church in the background with a large arched window and square tower behind it. there are low buses and then dry parched grass with small trees. The sky is blue and there is union flag bunting twisting in the breeze.
St Andrew’s Church yard 2022
A close up of the arched window in the foreground to the left is a brick wall and to the right a thick lined tree trunk covered in ivy/ The sun is shining on to the church window.
St Andrew’s church and one of the old yew trees covered in ivy.
A road with parking bays in front of a strip of 1960s flat roofed shops. On the left is pound land and then Boots. There is a winter tree in front of the shops and bench to the left. The sky is grey cloud.
The site of the old Catherine Wheel Pub, now Boots with Pound land (not to be confused with the pound stretcher) next door
In the background on the left the sun is setting amongst winter trees. A straight path leads to where the sun sets. There is a side path running from left to right and a person walking along it in jeans and blue coat. In the foreground on the right there is a tall black lamppost which is glowing a warm organey white colour. Behind the lamppost is a tall tree with gnarled bark with green patches. Between the trees of the park there is grass.
Gothic Green Park
A close up of the lamp with it's ornate black and bronze iron work. It glows warmly and behind it is a tree trunk of grey and green an tiny twisty twigs and branches.
Old fashioned lamp in Green Park
A park full of trees. One in the centre is blacking most of the setting sun but a small slither shines around the tree glowing. The sky above the park is a pale mauve and to the left another tree has long branches reaching to the right. There are people walking along a path in the park in thick coats.
Trees and sunset

Published by Natalie Doig

"Science and sorcery." It's a quote from a beekeeper I saw on the TV, about how he sees the work he does keeping bees, a balance between science and sorcery. For me it also sums up my experience of life, my interests and my outlook. I love photography which is a perfect blend of science and sorcery, using light and technology to create magical images. But when I'm not taking photos you'll find me making the podcast Weird in the Wade. I'm also often to be found writing, reading, knitting, riding my mountain bike or drinking coffee watching the world go by. By day I fight for disability rights, equality and inclusion for all.

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